The Mystery, Suspense and Surprise Continue in New Season of Food Network's "Cooks vs. Cons"

09 November 2016

** TUNE-IN ALERT**

Season Premieres Wednesday, November 23rd at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network

NEW YORK - November 8, 2016 - Cooks vs. Cons returns for a new season of the suspenseful culinary competition on Wednesday, November 23rd at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network. Geoffrey Zakarian hosts each episode as four contestants - two professional chefs ("cooks") and two con artists ("cons") - conceal their true identities as they race against the clock to whip up delicious restaurant quality dishes. The pressure is on as they must try to convince a rotating panel of judges, including Ted Allen, Sunny Anderson, Scott Conant, Alex Guarnaschelli, Eddie Jackson, Jeff Mauro, Daphne Oz, Curtis Stone, Jet Tila and Justin Warner, that they are the real deal. The cooks' and cons' skills, agility and adaptability are tested as they must incorporate a secret ingredient into their dishes during the two rounds of competition. With a level playing field, and no one knowing who is who, only a blind taste test will prove who has the best dish. If the professional is victorious, they'll take home $10,000, but if an amateur can out cook the pro, they'll walk away with $15,000!

Episodes include:

Premiering Wednesday, November 23rd at 9pm ET/PT -PREMIERE!
"Pumpkin Thumpin'"
Contestants must be on gourd for the French toast battle, as surprise ingredient pumpkin gets carved up into the dishes. Then, in round two, judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Curtis Stone attempt to separate the pros from the home cooks as they determine whose dish is tops, when ice-cream toppings are used to accent savory staples.

Premiering Wednesday, November 30th at 9pm ET/PT
"French Fries Freestyle"
The dumpling challenge is filled with surprises as professional chefs try to wrap up the big cash prize from their amateur rivals, but the addition of peanuts creates some nutty interpretations. In the next round, potato fries must be repurposed into the culinary creations. Judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Sunny Anderson savor the twice-fried masterpieces on the way to choosing a winner.

Premiering Wednesday, December 7th at 9pm ET/PT
"Tis the Seasoning"
Judges Ted Allen and Daphne Oz ring in the holidays, as rack of lamb is infused with traditional holiday drinks, celebrating the contestants' rib-sticking fare. Forget naughty or nice, who's a cook and who's a con? Round two stays festive, when holiday treats are re-gifted as flavorful dishes and the judges must choose a winner before dozing off in a blissful food coma.

Premiering Wednesday, December 14th at 9pm ET/PT
"Apple Apocalypse"
Pro and amateur cooks let their passions boil over during the pasta challenge, as Asian condiments must be used to achieve umami bliss. Then round two boasts more apples than the Garden of Eden, as judges Alex Guarnaschelli and Jet Tila eat sinfully delicious savory apple dishes before choosing a winner.

Premiering Wednesday, December 21st at 9pm ET/PT
"A Lotta Frittata"
The frittata challenge isn't all it's cracked up to be, as the contestants' creamy egg cakes must mingle with zesty surprise ingredient olives. Judges Daphne Oz and Justin Warner attempt to separate the pros from the home cooks in round two, as staple food - rice - or offset by commas rears its starchy head.

Premiering Wednesday, December 28th at 9pm ET/PT
"Lunchbox Bonanza"
Judges Daphne Oz and Scott Conant open Pandora's lunchbox, as cooks must include kid's lunch snacks in a traditional steak and egg pairing. Then the pros and amateurs face a tangy twist in round two, as surprise ingredient mustard encourages some spicy outcomes.

And many more in new episodes in January and February 2016.

After incognito home cooks "cons" battle undercover culinary pros "cooks", fans can catch highlights from the show and can take a quiz to find out if they could pose as a pro chef at FoodNetwork.com/CooksVsCons, and they can also share the results using #CooksVsCons.

This area is reserved for members of the news media. If you qualify, please update your user profile and check the box marked "Check here to register as an accredited member of the news media". Please include any notes in the "Supporting information for media credentials" box. We will notify you of your status via e-mail in one business day.